Confirmation at Immanuel

Confirmation is an important part of faith formation at Immanuel for youth in 7th and 8th grade. It is a time for young people to learn, ask questions, build relationships, and explore what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.

In the Lutheran Church, Confirmation is connected to Baptism. At Baptism, God's promise of grace and love is given freely to us. In Confirmation, young people have an opportunity to explore those promises more deeply and begin taking greater ownership of their faith.

Confirmation is not about having all the answers. In fact, we believe questions are an important part of growing in faith! Students are encouraged to ask questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, the church, their lives, and the world around them.

What Do We Learn?

During Confirmation, students explore the foundations of the Lutheran Christian faith, including:

• The Bible and how we read Scripture

• The life and teachings of Jesus

• The Ten Commandments

• The Apostles' Creed

• The Lord's Prayer

• Baptism and Holy Communion

• Martin Luther and the Lutheran Reformation

• Lutheran beliefs about grace, faith, and God's love

• Worship and life in the church

• Teachings of other Denominations and religions

• What it means to serve our neighbors and live out our faith

Confirmation also includes opportunities for worship, service, fellowship, retreats, and involvement in the life of the congregation.

Why Is Confirmation Important?

The middle school years are filled with questions, changes, and new experiences. Confirmation gives young people a safe place to talk about those experiences and discover how faith can be part of their everyday lives.

Our hope is not simply that students will know more about God when they finish Confirmation. We hope they will come to know more deeply that they are loved by God, surrounded by a community of faith, and called to share God's love with others.

At the end of their Confirmation journey, students are invited to affirm their Baptism before the congregation. They publicly affirm the promises made at their Baptism and are reminded that the congregation continues to walk alongside them as they grow in faith.

Confirmation is not a graduation from church. It is another step in a lifelong journey of faith.

Questions are welcome. Friends are welcome. And wherever you are on your journey of faith, there is a place for you here.

For more information, contact Pastor Josh at pastorjosh@ilclosaltos.com